Those Sexy Selfies Might Make You Seem Less Competent

When it comes to looking hot online, women are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. There's constant pressure to get attention from men, but there are definite social consequences, a new study finds.

Researchers from Oregon State University found that girls and young women who post revealing photos online are seen as less competent by their female peers. They're also rated as less physically attractive and less desirable as a friend.

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Their study, which was published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture, had teen girls and young adult women look at a Facebook profile and rate what they thought of the subject. One version had a sexy profile pic, and the other didn't, but everything else remained the same. Participants rated the non-sexy profile higher across the board.

It shouldn't be too much of a news flash to find out that provocative poses come with costs. But is it really the poster's fault if women are offended? The study's results speak more to a culture that simultaneously punishes and rewards female sexuality. "What does this tell us about gender?" researcher Elizabeth Daniels asked in a statement. "These conversations should be part of everyday life."